Challenge Accepted and Completed: A Way to Carry All Your Adventure Gear, Especially Your Shield

The wait is over! I finally published my newest listing.
​Before I introduce it to you, let me give you a little backstory on why I designed this product.

For years cosplayers around the world have been trying to figure out how to carry their favorite character's shields around while at conventions, fairs and other events. Some use shoulder straps but these often let the shield hang at odd angles. Some simply carry their shields on their arm for the entire event, but this can be tiring. Others still simply have a decorative shield permanently attached to their back or simply attached in a way that takes a long time to remove in order to use it. Sadly, because of the difficulty in carrying a large shield, many folks simply forgo their shield.  

For many people the inspiration for trying to solve this dilemma is Nintendo's Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Those of you who grew up in the 90s may remember this game and others in the series with its epic music, memorable sound effects, and the legendary equipment the hero, Link, uses. This game was my introduction to the topic as well. I grew up wondering if there was a way to be able to carry a sword and shield like that, along with the rest of the equipment. As I got older and gained access to the interwebs I searched to see if anyone else had ever effectively accomplished this. While some talented people came close, like some being able to draw a sword from their back, no one I found could draw a shield from their back without the use of magnets, a shoulder strap, velcro, or nylon side locking clips.

I was not satisfied with these solutions for my own costume so I took it as a challenge to overcome.

What I wanted was a way to efficiently and comfortably carry a shield on your back, and be able to pull it from your back quickly, while standing.

​I am excited to tell you that I have completed my personal challenge.
​
I introduce to you my Adventure Equipment Harness System (AEHS) and Shield Clip.

A shield can be attached to the AEHS harness by a simple and secure clip that allows for the traveling adventures to have both hands free and avoid having shoulder straps getting tangled. 

This harness is also designed to allow for a short sword to be carried vertically on the back and other weapons or accessories to be attached to the other belts.

Made from durable cowhide leather, this system is designed to carry equipment totaling up to 35 lbs. including a shield weighing up to 10 lbs.
It is adjustable at many points allowing the same harness to be worn with a single shirt or layers of armor. It can also be adjusted for left or right handed folks. 

After years of pondering over it I finally figured it out just before I myself had to go to an event in costume.

It is a simple design that adds less weight to a shield than the typical shoulder strap and allows an adventurer to be able to quickly, and fairly quietly, take their shield into the hands and then stow it again.

The image to the left is my first rendition of the harness. I think I pulled an all nighter to put it together. The event was kind of a last minute thing for me to attend but my wife and I decided it would be a good idea for me to go and help with some of the events there, like the obstacle course. It also help that I brought a little more excitement to the event with a few impromptu sword fighting lessons here and there.

​The shield clip can work independently from my harness system by attaching the shield to a belt at one's waist or even to a strap on a backpack.
When used with my harnesses, it is a durable gear retention system that even allows the user to perform a forward roll with their shield on their back without losing their equipment.
The harness is designed to accommodate a customizable combination of a shield, swords, axes, knives, hammers, pouches, a quiver, a bow, and even camping equipment.

For those wondering, I can attach the Shield Clip to many shields by other makers however I cannot promise that all of them would be safe to roll with.
In order to roll safely with this equipment one must first be able to roll safely without any equipment. If this is not possible for you to do safely do not attempt it. Likewise, not all equipment you attach to the system will allow for rolling. Loose arrows in a quiver or a long spear on your back might be examples of this.

I'm making more things with leather so be on a lookout for some more things I have coming up. I think I'll be doing some pouches here soon.

I also made a large shield and sword in the time since I last posted. I was really waiting on the shield to be complete so I could test the harness with a heavier load.
I must admit that the sword is simply a prop I made. I did hand forge the hand guard but the blade and handle are welded to it.
As for the shield, that thing weighs about 13 pounds. It does work well with the AEHS but it is a bit slower to pull out due to the weight. The colors may look a little funky but this was what I came up with after weeks of not being able to decide what I wanted so went with this because I thought it was fun. I will likely repaint it again but for now it is as it is. Except I poked a few holes in it. I wanted to see how well it fared against my Adventure Bow and a homemade arrow. I am pleased to say it did very well. It took a few shots from 4 feet away at full draw and all the arrow did was make deep pockmarks and bounce off. The was no evidence of damage on the other side of the shield. Next time I should try to make a warbow and a heavier arrow and see how it does. Like I said, I will likely repaint the shield at some point.

​

Speaking of colors, If there is a color of leather or specific design you want in a custom order, please don't hesitate to ask. I have access to many different colors and thicknesses of leather as well as stamps, dyes, and tools. I like working with warm colors like dark and light brown but I would really love to work with blues. If that suits anyone's fancy, again, please let me know. I got some ideas I want to try out.

If you are interested in buying a harness, or a shield, sword or the like, please check out my Etsy shop. 
​Click the buttons! Click all the buttons!

For the Honor Forge on Etsy!

I need to carry my stuff!